Page 18 of Werewolves Don't Howl
I gave her a brief smile and left the room, Moss on my heels.
ChapterSix
“Iexpected you to protest,” Mossy said in a low voice. “Do you think something happened to Loren? And if so, don’t you think it’s too dangerous to investigate?”
I frowned and glanced at the slight green-skinned girl. She was almost too observant. Was it too dangerous for her?
She flashed her sharp teeth at me in a grin. “Don’t worry about me. At the slightest hint of trouble, I’ll run. I’m very fast.” She smirked and nodded like there was nothing to worry about.
I sighed. But if Moss wanted to be involved, it would be virtually impossible to stop her.
Loren’s desk was very neat, everything packed away like her trip was intentional. Nothing was askew or out of place, like she’d been in a rush. I clicked on her computer and waited for it to load while Moss fiddled with Loren’s tidy pencils.
“You could check the security cams to see if she was alone when she came in last night,” she said idly.
I nodded at her. “We’ll check on our way out.”
“You smell like werewolf and worry. I’m not sure which is more unpleasant.”
“I’m sure they’re both equally amazing. Aha!” I got into her email and checked to see that the notification from the police was unread. I checked the time it was sent and then forwarded it to my inbox. I quickly went through her files on working projects, but there wasn’t anything about Ridley. There was a small clipping about the case of a missing girl in Golden Gates City, but nothing to tie it to the werewolf.
I shook my head and turned off her computer, then nodded at Moss. “Let’s go then.”
She followed silently, keeping up with my hurried pace. I took the stairs two at a time, and when I reached the floor for security, I walked out into the main passage slowly, after checking it for werewolves. All clear.
“You’re still looking at the cams even though nothing about her desk was suspicious?”
“You suggested it.”
“Yeah, because I’m a paranoid goblin. You’re a social butterfly. It’s like the time with the demon cultists who tried to take over the Library of Antiquities. You actually could be an investigative reporter.”
I didn’t like hearing the Senator’s words echoed by my young co-worker. I didn’t want to be an investigative reporter. I wasn’t actually going to do this case, because I’d most likely be taken by the wolves and my life would be over. But in the meantime, I’d like to know that Loren was definitely not involved in the Ridley mess. That I’d caused when I left him bleeding and helpless in an alley for anyone to effortlessly finish off. How could I have been so stupid?
“Hey, Delphi! And little Mossy-Nose. How are you two?” Gregor the Dwarf smiled beatifically while he sharpened a knife. He was armed to the teeth, but unlike most dwarves, didn’t hate people.
“Hi, Gregor,” I said, returning his smile.
“What kind of cookies do you have for me today?” Okay, maybe he was happy to see me because I always brought him a sugar rush.
“I didn’t make any today. I was wondering if I could see the footage of last night on the floor. I’m trying to check the timing of one of the employees.”
“Who?” he asked, waking up his screen.
“Loren Umptry.”
“Hm. Log shows she came in at four-thirteen a.m. and left at four-twenty-five.”
“And you have video of the floor during that time?”
He flashed me a quizzical frown. “Sure, but why do you want to see it?”
“She thinks Loren might have gotten murdered,” Moss said equal parts drama and excitement.
Gregor drew his fluffy brows together as he studied her, then shrugged and pulled up another screen. “Here we are, your floor, and there’s the elevator, four-fifteen, then the lights on, and our girl walking towards her desk. Looks tired. Usually she charges, not walks.”
We all watched as Loren went to her desk and organized everything neatly, put her things in her bag, closed down her computer and then stood and walked back out. I didn’t get a close-up of her desk, since she was in the middle of a dozen or so, but it was definitely her, and she was definitely unaccompanied by anyone visible. I hadn’t smelled anyone else at her desk. So what was I doing here, being so suspicious?
“Thanks Gregor. Next time I’ll bring you some gingersnaps.”
